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Douglas Robertson<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\nA group of medical students have become the first cohort of doctors to qualify by studying part-time.<\/p>\n The new graduates formally secured their qualification at the University of Edinburgh after completing the HCP-Med for Healthcare Professionals course.<\/p>\n Set up in 2018, the five-year scheme encourages professionals in other areas of healthcare to consider studying to become doctors.<\/p>\n It has a strong emphasis on GP placements in the hope of boosting the numbers of general practitioners entering Scotland’s NHS.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n The university said it was “proud” to be the first to produce graduates, numbering 20 in total, from the course. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n Designed to address the increasing demand on the healthcare workforce, the programme was launched with the aim of offering increased flexibility.<\/p>\n Existing health workers such as nursing staff, clinical scientists and veterinary surgeons could continue to work while studying.<\/p>\n The undergraduate programme – run by the University of Edinburgh’s Medical School – is the first of its kind in the UK.<\/p>\n The first three years is conducted part-time and predominantly online.<\/p>\n Alongside the part-time study, students also receive full funding from the Scottish Funding Council making it an attractive route to retrain those already working in healthcare.<\/p>\n After completing their remote studies, students then join the university’s full-time undergraduate medical programme for the final two years, undertaking a range of clinical placements in hospital wards and GP practice.<\/p>\n Another issue it addresses is underrepresentation from students from rural areas and less advantaged backgrounds. <\/p>\n The university said aiming the programme at experienced professionals opened up a key avenue to people who had not previously considered a career as a doctor.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Calum MacDonald is a graduate from the first cohort of the HCP-Med programme, having started his career as a staff nurse in an intensive care unit in Glasgow.<\/p>\n His experience in ICU and subsequent training to become an advanced critical care practitioner \u2013 a role he has held since 2016 \u2013 led him to consider a career as a doctor.<\/p>\n The programme allowed Dr MacDonald to stay in Glasgow and juggle work and part-time study, while also managing family life after he became a father in his second year.<\/p>\n Now a newly qualified doctor, he has secured a foundation post in Glasgow and will rotate across seven specialties.<\/p>\n Following the two-year foundation programme, Dr MacDonald is considering specialising in anaesthetics or general practice.<\/p>\n Speaking after the ceremony at the McEwan Hall, he said: “It’s been a challenging but incredibly rewarding journey. <\/p>\n “Being able to continue working as a nurse while studying medicine was a huge financial incentive. <\/p>\n “I am delighted to be graduating today and am excited to start my placement as a junior doctor in Glasgow.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Dr Jen Kennedy, the HCP-MED programme director, said: “We have lots of incredibly talented people working within the NHS in Scotland who may have missed the traditional route to become doctors. <\/p>\n “By creating this new pathway and widening access to medical degrees, we are able to nurture their talent and use their valuable experience to enhance the healthcare workforce”.<\/p>\n Prof David Kluth, head of Edinburgh Medical School, said he as proud that Edinburgh was the first university in the UK to offer the programme. <\/p>\n He added: “The students on this programme bring with them a rich diversity of backgrounds, experiences and skills – from prior careers to lived experience of the communities they will serve. <\/p>\n “This breadth of talent and perspective is vital in building a more inclusive, adaptable, and effective medical workforce for Scotland.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n![](\"https:\/\/static.files.bbci.co.uk\/bbcdotcom\/web\/20250701-150711-e3d94715db-web-2.24.1-1\/grey-placeholder.png\")
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Douglas Robertson<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\nFrom ICU nurse to doctor<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
Edinburgh medical course offers ‘new pathway’<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n